Lovers of Front-engined Corvettes Stand to Save Big, but Only If They Spend Big

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Who’s talking about the C7 Corvette these days? Precious few, that’s who, as the recent appearance of the mid-engined C8 has sucked all the attention away from the current-generation Chevrolet two-seater.

This situation, paired with the need to clear existing inventory, could be advantageous for buyers of the departing model, assuming you’re ready to shell out nearly six figures for the hottest C7s around.

As reported by Cars Direct, General Motors is upping incentives on the outgoing C7 between now and Labor Day, offering up to $9,404 in savings to buyers who like sitting behind their engine. Naturally, buyers of entry-level models stand no chance of seeing this upper amount.

The offer carries the enthusiasm-sparking billing of “Supplier Pricing for Everyone.” Available on any Corvette model, the deal ties itself to the vehicle’s configuration, meaning less savings for Stingray buyers and more for Z06 customers. Maximum savings come to those who already own a Vette, as there’s a $3,000 loyalty offer in play.

Should this be your first Corvette purchase, the maximum savings to be had (no lease offers, sorry) totals $6,404, and that’s if you’re prepared to fork over just north of $95k on a ZO6. But wait, you ask — doesn’t the Z06 start at around $85k? Indeed it does, meaning you’ll likely have to add some options in order to pare down the final selling price. Yes, this is one of those instances where being a return customer really sweetens the pot.

Any money on the hood of a car is appreciated, however, and customers eager to get into a new Vette — but who didn’t get their name on a reservation list early — could find themselves waiting for a 2021 C8, not a 2020 model. The next-generation model’s first-year popularity boost might lead them to the C7 instead.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
11 of 39 comments
  • TheDutchGun TheDutchGun on Aug 06, 2019

    I checked whatever new 2019s are advertised on auto trader for the province of Ontario and they're definitely marked down to varying degrees. The best deal I found was an all-black base stingray with a manual for $61k, which is $12-$13k off MSRP here. That one was the outlier though. Most were not marked down to that degree.

  • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Aug 06, 2019

    No need to rush in to purchasing a C7. No doubt their will be stores with C8's and new C7's on the ground simultaneously, though I suspect the c8's will be spoken for. I am very interested, from an arm chair qb position so to speak, to see what trades come in on the C8. Thos car is a game changer for GM in a positive direction. 2021 Suburban/Tahoe hopefully attracts new buyers as well.

    • See 8 previous
    • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Aug 06, 2019

      Hummer, I believe that most people who do serious towing either now or in the future will do so with a pick up vs using a Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL/Escalade an IRS. I used my Suburban to tow my pop up Coleman when we had it a solid 3x times a year. I do not believe that a IRS will decrease the number of sales, it will increase them as the increase in interior space along with the improved ride will make these far more an attractive purchase. Again, time will tell.

  • Rick T. "If your driving conditions include near-freezing temps for a few months of the year, seek out a set of all-seasons. But if sunshine is frequent and the spectre of 60F weather strikes fear into the hearts of your neighbourhood, all-seasons could be a great choice." So all-seasons it is, apparently!
  • 1995 SC Should anyone here get a wild hair and buy this I have the 500 dollar tool you need to bleed the rear brakes if you have to crack open the ABS. Given the state you will. I love these cars (obviously) but trust me, as an owner you will be miles ahead to shell out for one that was maintained. But properly sorted these things will devour highway miles and that 4.6 will run forever and should be way less of a diva than my blown 3.8 equipped one. (and forget the NA 3.8...140HP was no match for this car).As an aside, if you drive this you will instantly realize how ergonomically bad modern cars are.These wheels look like the 17's you could get on a Fox Body Cobra R. I've always had it in the back of my mind to get a set in the right bolt pattern so I could upgrade the brakes but I just don't want to mess up the ride. If that was too much to read, from someone intamately familiar with MN-12's, skip this one. The ground effects alone make it worth a pass. They are not esecially easy to work on either.
  • Macca This one definitely brings back memories - my dad was a Ford-guy through the '80s and into the '90s, and my family had two MN12 vehicles, a '93 Thunderbird LX (maroon over gray) purchased for my mom around 1995 and an '89 Cougar LS (white over red velour, digital dash) for my brother's second car acquired a year or so later. The Essex V6's 140 hp was wholly inadequate for the ~3,600 lb car, but the look of the T-Bird seemed fairly exotic at the time in a small Midwest town. This was of course pre-modern internet days and we had no idea of the Essex head gasket woes held in store for both cars.The first to grenade was my bro's Cougar, circa 1997. My dad found a crate 3.8L and a local mechanic replaced it - though the new engine never felt quite right (rough idle). I remember expecting something miraculous from the new engine and then realizing that it was substandard even when new. Shortly thereafter my dad replaced the Thunderbird for my mom and took the Cougar for a new highway commute, giving my brother the Thunderbird. Not long after, the T-Bird's 3.8L V6 also suffered from head gasket failure which spelled its demise again under my brother's ownership. The stately Cougar was sold to a family member and it suffered the same head gasket fate with about 60,000 miles on the new engine.Combine this with multiple first-gen Taurus transmission issues and a lemon '86 Aerostar and my dad's brand loyalty came to an end in the late '90s with his purchase of a fourth-gen Maxima. I saw a mid-90s Thunderbird the other day for the first time in ages and it's still a fairly handsome design. Shame the mechanicals were such a letdown.
  • FreedMike It's a little rough...😄
  • Rochester Always loved that wrap-around cockpit interior. The rest of this car, not so much. Between the two, it was always the mid-90's Cougar that caught my attention.
Next